Hear what the Genomic Revolution means for General Practice
Dr Debbie Hipps, our very own Primary Care Lead for the South East GMS, explored how genomics is vital to the future of General Practice on this month’s General Practice Podcast by Ockham Healthcare, in discussion with Ben Gowland (Director of Ockham Healthcare and a former NHS CCG Chief Executive).
Follow the link below to hear more from Debbie about:
- How genomics enhances risk assessments, family history evaluations, and cancer treatments.
- Real-world examples such as managing Lynch syndrome and practical tools like the Genomics Education Programme.
- Driving the NHS’s shift from reactive to preventative care, and why there is an urgent need for GPs and pharmacists to upskill in the fast-evolving field of genomics.
- The challenges of integrating genomics into primary care, and what the future may hold.
Why should General Practitioners care about genomics?
Primary care practitioners are vital for supporting patients throughout their entire lifetime. GPs are already thinking genetics when talking to patients about family history and inheritance, and when assessing risk. Genomics is not just approaching, but already here, and it is transforming how we can deliver enhanced risk assessment and precise, personalised treatments. The South East GMS is here to help with video guidance explaining how to request genetic tests in Primary Care and other free resources.
There are four tests that Primary Care can currently order directly and this is expected to expand in the future, so it’s vital that we begin to upskill our primary care workforce to empower them. These tests include testing for Cystic Fibrosis carrier status, hereditary haemochromatosis, Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency and Gilbert’s Syndrome. GPs may also be involved already in managing patients with genetic conditions such as Lynch syndrome.
